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Access over workers' compensation decisions, including En Banc, Significant Panel Decisions, and writ-denied cases.

Case No. ADJ 4200496 (GRO 0030688)
Regular
Jan 19, 2010

FRANCISCO MARTINEZ-REYES vs. SOLAMAR FARMS, INC., STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

This case concerns the proper method for calculating permanent disability award commutations for a farm laborer with 100% disability sustained on February 10, 2004. The applicant appeals the administrative law judge's decision favoring the Uniformed Reduction (UR) method, arguing the Uniformed Increasing Reduction (UIR) method better accounts for state average weekly wage (SAWW) increases mandated by Labor Code section 4659. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, rescinded the prior decision, and remanded the case for a new decision. The Board found the UIR method better serves the goal of consistent periodic payments, and the SAWW increase commencement date was not moot.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardUniformed Reduction (UR)Uniformed Increasing Reduction (UIR)State Average Weekly Wage (SAWW)Permanent Disability AwardCommutationLabor Code Section 4659Life PensionTotal Permanent DisabilityCost of Living Adjustment (COLA)
References
1
Case No. ADJ7971001
Regular
Apr 16, 2013

DARRYL OYAS vs. CALIFORNIA STATE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

This case involves a dispute over the attorney's fees awarded in a workers' compensation claim for a 100% permanent disability award. The applicant's attorney argues the administrative law judge erred by excluding the State Average Weekly Wage (SAWW) adjustment factor and by using the Uniform Reduction method for commutation instead of the Uniform Increasing Reduction (UIR) method. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration to allow the judge to recalculate the attorney's fees, incorporating a reasonable SAWW adjustment and applying the UIR commutation method, while still considering factors for determining the fee's reasonableness. The Board emphasized separating the calculation of the award's commuted value from the determination of the attorney's fee percentage.

State Compensation Insurance FundWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardFindings and AwardAttorney's FeePermanent DisabilityState Average Weekly Wage (SAWW)Uniform Increasing Reduction (UIR) methodCommutationStipulations with Request for AwardCorrectional Officer
References
5
Case No. ADJ2176267 (SRO 0135757)
Regular
Oct 22, 2013

JON POWASNICK vs. SONOMA DEVELOPMENTAL CENTER

The Appeals Board affirmed the WCJ's award of 88% permanent disability and denied the applicant's claim for Subsequent Injuries Fund benefits. However, the Board remanded the case to the trial level for recalculation of the applicant's attorney's fee from life pension payments. This recalculation must commute the fee using the "uniformly increasing reduction" method and a reasonable predicted State Average Weekly Wage increase, accounting for Cost of Living Adjustments. The WCJ's determination of the permanent disability percentage and the denial of SIF benefits were upheld.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationPermanent DisabilitySubsequent Injuries FundAttorney's FeeCommutationLife PensionCost of Living AdjustmentState Average Weekly WageUniformly Increasing Reduction
References
4
Case No. ADJ7831450
Regular
May 07, 2013

MARIO RESENDIZ vs. JERRY HOLLENDORFER STABLES, CHARTIS INSURANCE

This case concerns applicant Mario Resendiz's claim for 100% permanent disability following a 2008 injury. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, amending the original award to commence permanent total disability payments on March 20, 2010, rather than December 19, 2011. The Board affirmed the finding of 100% permanent disability but returned the matter for the trial judge to recalculate the applicant's attorney's fee. This recalculation must consider a cost of living adjustment (COLA) using a "uniformly increasing reduction" method and a reasonable predicted State Average Weekly Wage (SAWW) increase.

Workers Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationFindings and AwardPermanent Total DisabilitySpecific InjuryApportionmentSubstantial Medical EvidenceAttorney's FeeCommutationCost of Living Adjustment (COLA)
References
2
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Apr 13, 1983

Haskin v. Secretary of the Department of Health & Human Services

The plaintiff, Doris Haskin, contested the reduction of her Social Security Supplemental Income (SSI) payments by the Secretary due to increases in her retirement benefits. She argued that these reductions were improper, citing that her overall income was not increasing and her initial SSI eligibility determination occurred before she received retirement benefits. Additionally, Haskin claimed improper maintenance of employment records and alleged unconstitutional discrimination against her as an SSI recipient who contributed to Social Security, unlike some others. The Court affirmed the Secretary's decision, finding that the reduction was based on substantial evidence and correct statutory interpretation, as retirement benefits are categorized as unearned income for SSI. It also dismissed her equal protection claim, emphasizing the general funding of SSI and judicial deference to legislative classifications, and denied her request for a jury trial, limiting review to the substantial evidence standard.

Social Security BenefitsSupplemental Security IncomeRetirement BenefitsSSI Payment ReductionEqual Protection ClaimConstitutional LawAdministrative LawSubstantial Evidence ReviewDisability IncomeGovernment Assistance Programs
References
7
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Uniformed Firefighters Ass'n, Local 94 v. City of New York

The Uniformed Firefighters Association (UFA) and individual firefighters sued the City of New York, challenging the denial of seniority credit for promotional purposes to firefighters initially re-employed under federal programs (CETA and HUD) in "provisional" capacities after layoffs. Plaintiffs argued violations of the CETA statute and the Equal Protection Clause. The District Court found no private right of action under CETA, asserting that its grievance procedures were exclusive. The court also determined that the City had a rational basis for distinguishing between provisional and permanent employees regarding seniority, citing New York Civil Service Law requirements. Consequently, the defendants' motion to dismiss the complaint for failure to state a claim was granted.

Seniority RightsProvisional EmploymentCETA ProgramHUD ProgramCivil Service LawEqual Protection ClauseMotion to DismissFederal FundingBudgetary CrisisFirefighters
References
10
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

City of Cohoes v. Uniform Firefighters of Cohoes, Local 2562

The City of Cohoes, as petitioner, sought to prevent arbitration initiated by the Uniform Firefighters of Cohoes, Local 2562, concerning "light duty" assignments for "nonworking" firefighters under General Municipal Law § 207-a (3). The union argued for due process hearings and the arbitrability of these assignments based on their collective bargaining agreement. Justice Harold J. Hughes, however, ruled that issues related to General Municipal Law § 207-a (3) are not subject to arbitration. The court emphasized a strong public policy and established decisional law which supports municipal employers' flexibility in assigning light duty and deems the statute self-contained, separate from contractual arbitration. Consequently, the petitioner's application to stay arbitration was granted, with the court noting that any abuse of employer discretion remains subject to judicial review.

Arbitration StayGeneral Municipal Law 207-aLight DutyFirefighter BenefitsPublic Policy ExceptionCollective BargainingEmployer AuthorityDisabled EmployeesTaylor LawMunicipal Employers
References
14
Case No. 2022 NY Slip Op 02174
Regular Panel Decision
Mar 31, 2022

Matter of City of Troy (Troy Uniformed Firefighters Assn., Local 86 IAFF, AFL-CIO)

This case concerns an appeal by the City of Troy against a Supreme Court order that denied its application to permanently stay arbitration with the Troy Uniformed Firefighters Association. The dispute arose from the City's implementation of COVID-19 pandemic executive orders, which resulted in non-essential civilian employees working from home or taking leave, while essential firefighters remained on duty. The union filed a grievance seeking equal paid time off or monetary compensation for its members. The Appellate Division, Third Department, reversed the Supreme Court's order, concluding that arbitration of the dispute was precluded as a matter of public policy. The court reasoned that the City's actions were a required compliance with statewide public health directives during an extraordinary emergency, and therefore, could not constitute a breach of the collective bargaining agreement that would warrant arbitration.

ArbitrationPublic Policy ExceptionCollective Bargaining AgreementCOVID-19 PandemicExecutive OrdersEssential WorkersGrievanceAppellate ReviewMunicipal LawLabor Relations
References
11
Case No. ADJ2894653
Regular
Jan 17, 2012

LENA WILSON vs. PIEDMONT LUMBER AND NURSERY, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Appeals Board granted reconsideration to address the reasonableness of the attorney's fee and its commutation method. The Board found the original fee of $\$ 41,522.43$ was unreasonably low because it did not properly account for the applicant's Cost of Living Allowance (COLA). Consequently, the Board rescinded the prior order and awarded an attorney's fee of $\$ 84,814.30$, to be commuted using the "uniformly increasing reduction method," finding this latter method to be in the applicant's best interest.

Workers Compensation Appeals BoardAttorney's FeeReconsiderationJoint Findings and OrderWorkers' Compensation JudgeUniform Reduction MethodUniformly Increasing Reduction MethodCommutationPermanent Total DisabilityCost of Living Allowance (COLA)
References
1
Case No. ADJ1342387 (SBR 0336882)
Regular
Feb 17, 2012

RAMON FELIZ vs. WIRED RITE ELECTRIC, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

This case concerns a dispute over the attorney's fee award for an applicant who suffered a total permanent disability. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration to modify the administrative law judge's (ALJ) order regarding attorney fees. The WCAB found the 15% fee reasonable but reversed the ALJ's denial of commutation. The WCAB ordered the attorney's fees to be commuted using a uniformly increasing reduction method with a 3% cost-of-living adjustment, determining this was in the best interests of both the applicant and his attorney.

WCABPetition for ReconsiderationPermanent Total DisabilityAttorney's FeesCommutationUniformly Increasing Reduction MethodCost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)State Average Weekly Wage (SAWW)Disability Evaluation Unit (DEU)Life Pension
References
1
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